Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

An apology for absence was received from Councillors John Worth and Kate Wheller.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registerable or non-registrable interest as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

To receive questions or statements on the business of the committee from town and parish councils and members of the public.

Public speaking has been suspended for virtual committee meetings during the Covid-19 crisis and public participation will be dealt with through written submissions only.

Members of the public who live, work or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area, may submit up to two questions or a statement of up to a maximum of 450 words.  All submissions must be sent electronically to denise.hunt@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by the deadline set out below.  When submitting a question please indicate who the question is for and include your name, address and contact details.  Questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda.

Questions will be read out by an officer of the council and a response given by the appropriate Portfolio Holder or officer at the meeting.  All questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.  The deadline for submission of the full text of a question or statement is 8.30am on Tuesday 7 September 2021.

Representations by the public to the Committee on individual planning applications are detailed below. There were no questions, petitions or deputations received on other items on this occasion.

To consider the applications listed below for planning permission

Members considered written reports submitted on planning applications as set out below.

Develop vacant land by the demolition of garage, formation of vehicular access, erection of 25 dwellings & associated landscaping.

This application was deferred for consideration at the next meeting on Thursday 30^th September 2021.

Installation of two sculptural installations created by two different artists, sited at two locations in Weymouth.

The Committee considered an application for two sculptural installations sited in two locations on the Esplanade in Weymouth to the east of the Jubilee Clock and to the south of the war memorial in an existing landscape planter.

The Planning Officer presented the application, its context and main issues including principle of development, having regard to Local Plan policies ENV10 and WEY1; conservation and heritage and flood risk.

During the presentation, members noted that the Ward Members stated in the report were incorrect and it was subsequently verified that the Ward Member had not been notified on receipt of this application.

Members were advised that although this was not a legal requirement, that it was council practice to notify relevant Ward Member(s).  It was therefore suggested that the application be delegated to the Head of Planning for approval subject to there being no issues that arose as a result of notifying the Ward Member.  Any issues raised by the Ward Member would be reported back to the Committee.  This way forward was supported by the committee.

The Committee raised concerns regarding maintenance of the installations over the longer term and were advised that this would be undertaken as part of the Dorset Council maintenance regime.  The risk of graffiti to public features carried no weight in the planning balance.

Some members of the Committee were not supportive of this application, stating that it was not in keeping with the heritage of the esplanade or the war memorial, that the messaging was political and that the maintenance cost was an unacceptable use of taxpayer’s money. However, these views were not shared by the majority of members who also supported the message of global warming that formed part of one of the installations. Members were reminded that future maintenance costs were not a planning consideration.

Proposed by Cllr Bill Pipe, seconded by Cllr Paul Kimber.

The Committee was minded to delegate authority to the Head of Planning to grant the application, subject to there being no issues arising as a result of consultation with the Ward Member and subject to planning conditions.

The Head of Planning having considered the officer’s presentation and having taken into account the views of the committee made the following decision under delegated authority.

Decision of the Head of Planning: That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to grant planning permission, subject to there being no issues arising as a result of consultation with the relevant Ward Member and subject to the planning conditions outlined below:

1. The development to which this permission relates must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission.

Reason: This condition is required to be imposed by Section 91 of the Town
and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

2. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:
006406 L100 Revision A
006406 L105
006406 L305
006406 L106
006406 L306 Revision A

Reason: For the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

To inform Members of notified appeals and appeal decisions and to take them into account as a material consideration in the Planning Committee’s future decisions.

The report was noted.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972

The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

There was no exempt business.